RET Thomas tournament one of many ways family, community honor memory of cancer victim.
Back in 1999, many young athletes didn't know much about lacrosse, a sport that was wildly popular around Ret's old hometown but had barely gained a toehold in the Southeast. Rich Thomas, Ret's father, heard that several local kids received lacrosse sticks and were looking to take up the game. He volunteered to run a camp beginning in early January. In the first week, nearly 15 kids showed up for the came. By week three, more than 40 kids took part in the camp.
"(Ret) was clearly my motivation to start the program," Rich said. "He was a great ambassador to the sport because he loved it so much."
The program grew so much that the group of Hilton Head kids began playing scrimmages against a team in Savannah.
Six years later, lacrosse has become one of the more popular sports on the island. Both Hilton Head High School and Bluffton High School have boys and girls lacrosse programs. The Seahawks' boys have won the past four state championships, and Bluffton's girls advanced to last spring's state championship match.
http://www.islandpacket.com/sports/local/story/5395134p-4876366c.html
